Workers have started cutting down trees and making other land preparation at Missouri American Water’s High Street plant as part of installing a new well and pump station in Jefferson City.
The $15.5 million project is expected to be completed by November 2020.
“On the grassy hillside, near the treatment plant, there is an underground storage facility,” Missouri American Water spokesman Brian Russell said. “It was originally built in 1888 and last had significant upgrades in 1927. It’s time to get something new after 130 years of service. The well will store water at the treatment plant and will have extra capacity compared to what is there now.”
Along with the new storage facility, Russell said, they are also building a new service center on Hoover Street.
“The office next to the treatment plant will become laboratory space for the plant,” Russell said. “Water quality monitoring will take place there. We’ll move it out of the area in the plant where it is currently being done.”
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has approved the project, which is intended to address the company’s growing service area that includes Redfield, Wardsville and Hillers Creek in Cole County as well as parts of four surrounding counties.
Local contractors Stokes Electric, Harold Butzer and Central Missouri Professional Services will be involved with the project.
Russell said customers shouldn’t notice any change in service with the work.